Happy New Year from the Heart of Switzerland!
Hello dear WA fellows and friends, on this first day of 2016 I wish you a happy, creative and successful year to come! With some good friends I spent the turn of the year on a very special place: in Seelisberg (meaning: mountain of the lake) which is located at the heart of Switzerland. The picture below renders the view we had today on the first of January.
In many respects, it's a very inspiring and energetic place with good vibes. The view is breath-taking and clears your mind with fresh air. Moreover, it's the place where, according to old myths, the nation of Switzerland was founded in 1291 AD. Strictly speaking it happened at the foot of the village Seelisberg, on a prominent meadow boardering on to the Lake of Lucerne called Rütli (see below).
According to the legend, three men representing the oldest counties swore eternal loyalty, thus constituting the Helvetic Confederation, in other words the roots of Switzerland. I'm not mentioning it to start a discussion about the historicity of this story. At any rate, it's a place of permanence and stability, an anchor of peace.
Many centuries later, in 1972, directly above this historic place, the international movement for Transcendental Meditation was kickstarted here by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. His movement had a great impact on the promotion of peace all around the world which was even scientifically validated. Up until today, the center is housed in a former Grand Hotel.
Nevertheless, the TM movement was controversial from the beginning. No wonder when an Indian Guru is throning above the mythical heart of Switzerland. In addition to that, the Swiss mentality wasn't ready for this at tat time.
Be it as it may, I spent the night of New Year's Eve in this beautiful place listening to a wonderful concert with special kind of fusion between Indian Tabla and European Harp combined with moving voices.
Sandip Batthacharya (above)
Buvana (above)
Filled with this peaceful and vibrant experience I wish you a heart full of love and a clear and steadfast mind for the challanges to come!
Stefan
Recent Comments
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Ain't that the most beautiful country in Europe! Thank, wishing you as much as enjoyable moments as you experienced today for the whole 2016 year!
Thanks Loes,
haven't been to the Netherlands yet, so I can't contradict ;-)
Same to you, Stefan
Hi Stefan, very interesting text for many reasons. When I was student, my roommate in the student house was practicing TM and he became a teacher of TM. As far as I remember he was visiting the center you describe here. Maharishi himself was coming to Belgrade and my friend took me to the meeting, I remember everything as it was yesterday. Being skeptical about that teaching I did not take part in it, but I was surrounded by people from the society. They used to meditate together, this was a part of the teaching as you surely know. Small world indeed; thank you for bringing those memories back.
Hello Jovo
thanks for sharing your own experience! As time passes, many things look different from a distance. So I think it's easier to discern for yourself what's valid and what not. At least for me, I got some inspiration.
Take care, Stefan
Amazing, Stefan! I can feel your peace and clarity. What a beautiful way to begin the New Year. Best wishes for all good things. Warmly, Heather
Thanks Heather,
I appreciate your sense for the essence I tried to convey!
Take care, Stefan
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A beautiful country. Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome, just followed you in the new year!